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Adam Ant -Hammersmith Apollo – Review

Header photo by Anne Forest
Reviewed by The Snuff Monkey

Adam Ant – Dirk Wears White Sox – Hammersmith Apollo

Adam Ant Hammersmith Apollo – Photo by Jeff Moh

When it was announced that Adam Ant would be performing the Dirk Wears White Sox album in it’s entirety, there was no delaying in ensuring that we had tickets this was a concert I had hoped and wished to see for a long-time. I was too young to see the original Antz but like many I fell for the charm and glamour of Kings of the Wild Frontier before delving backwards and discovering all the earlier edgy punk material, with some help from a long-time friend and Ant fan. Dirk Wears White Sox quickly became an all time favourite it was dark, edgy and sexy. Older Ant fans filled me in on the intensity of the early gigs and how they were captivated with something unique and happening their gigs were more than a punk thing.

Will Crewdson – Leigh Gorman – photo by Jeff Moh

So April 19 was a chance to finally witness for myself what I missed, what would top it I’m sure many fans felt the same would be if the original members Dave Barbarossa and Leigh Gorman were involved as well, which always seemed unlikely after they left to form Bow Wow Wow in 1979. Then two months before the show it was announced they were back and would be playing together again for the first time since that split. Going under the title of “The Ministers Of New Super Heavy Punk Funk” the line up is completed with Will Crewdson (who hosts Scant Regard Radio for WSR every first Wednesday of the month) and Tom Edwards on guitar along with Adams current full-time drummer Jola.

The Hammersmith Apollo is packed and tonight we have a double treat as we are led on a historical tour with the Antz re-invasion from the edgy punk days to the glam pop punk icon. With Leigh’s funky bass the twin drums Will and Tom’s superb guitar playing and Adams vocal the sound is fantastic. Dressed in leather and a tricorn hat Adam takes to the stage and the band open with Cartrouble the years fall away with the spiky art school punk its a treat followed by

Adam Ant – Photo by Anne Forest

more classic treats as all eleven tracks from the album is played with brilliance. Personal favourites – The day I met god – Cleopatra – Never trust a man (with egg on his face) are sublime as is Animals & Men with it fast paced full on on intensity the audience at the front can be seen going crazy this is fun this is punk this is Adam and his Antz.
These early classic tracks stand the test of time and sound as fresh today as they did back in the day, after the finale track from the album –The Idea– it feels all too short to finish but the first hour has passed what a ride but Adam and his Antz are not ready to let us off yet as Adam sings –Whip in my Valise- from behind a dressing screen teasingly appearing from behind as he makes a costume change and into the post-punk dandy highwayman.

Here for the next hour we are treated to singles and hits of Adam’s career with – Stand and deliver – Antmusic – Viva le Rock and the ballad – Wonderful – then some more of the edgy punky tunes- Beat my guest – Red Scab – the classic Xerox and of course Physical to finish of a truly fantastic night. We don’t know if they will do it again we can only hope , maybe next time we can be treated to other early classics like – Lady – Young Parisians – Juanito the Bandito – It doesn’t Matter – Plastic Surgery.
A dream a wish was fulfilled ! let’s get ready for the Antz Re-invasion.